Funnel



Ag. 20, 1929. l.1. DEMATTEls FUNNEL Filed Sept.

llll l.

Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES JULIAN DEMATTEIS, 0F BATAVIA, IOWA.

FUNNEL.

Application filed September 18, 1928. Serial No. 306,722.

This invention relates to funnels and more particularly to a funnel for usegin filling cans with relatively heavy viscous materials which pour slowly and accordingly require a considerable period in their transfer from one receptacle to another. l

An important object of the invention is the provision in a funnel of this character of a construction permitting an accurately measured quantity of the material to be delivered to the receptacle to be filled.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a device of this character of a construction such that a square-bottomed funnel can be employed and a complete drainage thereof secured.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be readily andcheaply manufactured, which will be durable and eilicient in service and a general improvement in the art.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation partially broken away showing a funnel constructed in accordance with my invention in use to fill a container;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the funnel;

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view through the bottom of the funnel illustrating the automatic tilting principle.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1() designates a can of the type usually employed in the transportation of molasses and the like. These cans are usually rectangular in form and'have at one corner thereof a screw spout 11 for the reception of a closure cap. Cans of this character are generally packed two in a carton or a shipping case 12 and are filled while in position in the case. In accordance with my invention, I employ as thefunnel body a casing 13 having the same cubical contents as the container 10 and having at its bottom an outlet spout 14, which is reduced to enter the mouth of the screw spout 11 and is provided with flats or other air eduction passages, as indicated at 15. Such a funnel body may be readily produced by employing a can of the same type as that being filled and inverting the same and securing the reduced funnel mouth in position in the screw mouth 11 in any suitable manner.

This funnel mouth is located at one corner yof the casing and at the three other corners,

I provide supporting legs 16, each in the form of an angle iron soldered or otherwise secured to the projecting rim 17 with which such can bodies are usually provided. The leg diametrically opposed to the spout has slidably engaged therewith an extension leg 18 in the form of an angle, the edges of which are reverted, as at 19, to embrace the edges of the angle iron leg.

The leg is slotted, as at 20, for the passage of a screw 21 which engages the extension leg and this screw 21 has secured thereto one end of a spring 22, which bears against the under surface of the can. To form a housing for this spring, the material forming the eXtension leg 18 is preferably pressed outwardly, as at 23, into the angle and at the point normally occupied by the junction between the angles. The bottom of the casing is preferably reinforced, as indicated at 24, to prevent sagging thereof.

Arranged `interiorly of the can is a swinging valve structure comprising a plate 25, to

the under surface of which a layer of soft material 26 is secured by a countersunk screw, as indicated at 27. This plate is secured to a rod'28, which projects through the plate and into a bearing formed in the bottom wall of the casing at a reinforced portion 29 provided thereon. The upper end of the rod projects through the upper wall 30 of the casing and is provided with an angularly bent handle 31, which serves at once as a means for indicating the position of the valve and for manipulating the same. This upper wall is provided with a filling opening 32, which may have associated therewith a hinged screen cover 33. A bail 34 is provided by means of which the casing may be manipulated. l

In the use of the device, the valve is closed and the casing 13 filled with the fluid which is to be transferred to the container 10. The casing 13 is then placed in position upon the container 10 and the valve opened to permit the contents to pass through the spout 14 to the container. As the level of liquid within the casing 13 lowers, the spring which will ordinarily be held compressed by the weight of the liquid will act to elevate that portion of the container diametrically opposed to the spout, tilting the container, so that all of the contents thereof will pass through the spout.

Thus, the funnel may be filled, placed upon the container, the valve regulated and the funnel left to empty itself, eliminating all necessity for constant attendance on the part of the person who is controlling the filling operation. In order that the funnel may be transported from place to place, the rod above the valve is provided with an offset 34 seatingV against the upper surface of the valve and beneath the bottom of the funnel, the rod has applied thereto jam and lock nuts 35 and 36 permitting the valve to be firmly forced against the bottom of the container and insuring against any possible leakage.

The construction illustrated is, of course, capable of a considerable range of change and modification Without materially departing from the spirit of the invention, and I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim l. A funnel comprising a fiat-bottomed re ceptacle having legs at its lower end to seat upon the upper surface of a receptacle to be filled and having a spout to enter the filling opening of the receptacle, a leg of the funnel being diainetrically opposed to the spout and being extensible, and a spring constantly urging said leg to its extended position.

2. Apparatus for filling a receptacle of predetermined capacity and having a filling opening disposed at one side of the top thereof comprising a casing of the same capacity as the receptacle and having upon its bottom a spout adapted to enter the filling opening of the receptacle when the casing is superimposed thereon, said casing vhaving supporting legs toengage the top of the receptacle and having a valve controlling fiowrthrough the spout. Y

.3. Apparatus for filling a receptacle of predetermined Capacity and having a filling opening disposed at one side of the top thereof comprising a. casing of the same capacity as the receptacle and having upon its bottom a spout adapted to enter the filling opening of the receptacle when the casing is superimposed thereon, said casing having support ing legs to engage the top of the receptacle and having a valve controlling flow through the spout, a leg of the receptacle at the op posite side of the receptacle from said spout being extensible and spring means constantly urging said leg to its extended position.

4. Apparatus for filling a receptacle of predetermined capacity and having a filling opening disposed at one side of the top thereof comprising a casing of the saine capacity as the receptacle and having upon its bottom a spout adapted to enter the filling opening of the receptacle When the casing is superimposed thereon, said casing having supporting legs to engage the top of the receptacle and having a valve controlling flow through the spout, a leg of the receptacle being diametri vsaid leg to its extended position, a valve rotatable Within the casing to cover the opening at the inner end of the spout and having a soft surface opposing the bottom of the casing and an operating rod for said valve extending through the. upper Wall of the casing.

6. In a funnel, a flat-bottomed receptacle having an opening adjacent one side thereof and means for supporting the receptacle including a leg normally of a length such that the funnel is canted toward the side at which the spout is disposed, said leg collapsing under the Weight of the contents of the funnel when full to permit the bottom of the funnel to be horizontally disposed and automatically expanding as the Weight of the contents decreases.

7. A funnel comprising a flat-bottomed receptacle having legs at its lower end to seat upon the upper surface of a receptacle to be filled and having a spout to enter the filling opening of the receptacle, a leg of the funnel being diainetrically opposed to the spout and being extensible, a. spring constantly urging said leg to its extended position, a valve rotatable Within the casing to cover the opening at the inner end of the spout and having a soft surface opposing the bottom of the casing, an operating rod for said valve extending through the upper Wall of the casing, and means for positively forcing said valve into engagement with the bottom of the funnel.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

JULIAN DEMATTEIS, 

